The famous Hydro Majestic Hotel at Medlow Bath

Medlow Bath
Famous watering hole in the 1920s with extravagant old-style Hydro Majestic Hotel
The small village of Medlow Bath is located 6 km west of Katoomba, 107 km from Sydney and 1050 metres above sea-level. It would hardly be worth mentioning Medlow Bath if it wasn't for the gracious Hydro Majestic Hotel.

In some ways the story of the hotel ties in with Edward Hargraves who was regarded (wrongly) as the man who discovered the first payable gold in Australia. For his efforts Hargraves received a 10,000-pound reward. Having noticed the quality of the views, he spent some of it on a property and a house at Medlow Bath.

The railway arrived in 1880 and the station was initially called, unromantically, Brown's Siding. At the outset of the 20th century, Sydney businessman Mark Foy developed the Hydro Majestic as a 'hydropathic establishment', utilising therapeutic methods from Europe. Although this aspect of the hotel was not very successful it continued on as an ordinary hotel.

The hotel's overwhelming presence, both physical and economic, led to a change of place name, with the railway station re-titled Medlow Bath, to honour the hotel and its hydropathic ambitions. Today Medlow Bath is a settlement of around 500 people.

Things to see:  

Hydro Majestic Hotel
In keeping with the medicinal qualities of the mountains, this remarkable 'Edwardian folly' was created as a 'hydropathic establishment' in the early twentieth century by the Sydney businessman, Mark Foy.

The land on which the hotel stands was purchased by Edward Hargraves who was regarded (wrongly) as the discoverer of the first payable gold in Australia. For his efforts he received a 10,000-pound reward. Having noticed the quality of the views, Hargraves spent some of it on a property and a house at Medlow Bath. In 1891, with more and more people regarding the Mountains as a healthy summer holiday resort, the Belgravia Hotel was opened adjacent Hargraves' home.

At the outset of the 20th century, Foy bought both buildings, and a third called Tucker's House. From this foundation he established the Hydro Majestic in 1903 as a therapeutic centre, employing a Dr Bauer of Germany to implement the latest hydropathic methods of Europe, and a very strict health regime. Foy purchased farmland in the Megalong Valley, below the hotel, and had fresh produce relayed by a specially built flying fox.

The hydropathic aspect of Foy's vision did not prove very profitable and it was later dropped with the establishment continuing as an ordinary hotel for holidaymakers. During World War II, the American army used the building as a base hospital for soldiers injured in the Pacific theatre.

Today, like so many of the old hotels in the mountains, the Hydro Majestic has a gentility produced by a combination of grand Edwardian grace and the slow decay of ornate fittings which, in their time, must have cost a king's ransom. However, some Art Deco elements lend a colourful modernist air to the establishment.

From the rear of the building there are excellent views of the Megalong Valley and Shipley Plateau.

It is one of the thirteen historic inns listed on the excellent History Highway Inns website. Check it out at History Highway Inns which offers detailed information about the historic inns in the Blue Mountains.

Gate House
Station St, which runs off the highway at the western end of Medlow Bath, was once part of the main road. It runs parallel to the railway line. About 400 metres from the highway is the No.11 Gatekeepers Cottage, built in 1867. This was originally the residence of the man who controlled a nearby level crossing.

Point Pilcher
If you want to escape the tourism of Katoomba and you don't want the long drive to Kanangra Walls, then turn right at the traffic lights after the Hydro Majestic, drive east beside the railway line and head to Point Pilcher on Rutland and Grand Canyon Road. The original track to Point Pilcher was built by Mark Foy's gardener. It is not easy. There is 5.2km of dirt road which can be traversed by conventional car if you drive slowly. The reward, however, is a superb view down to Govetts Creek and across dense bushland, known as the Grose Wilderness, which has remained totally untouched. This is one of the most isolated areas in the Blue Mountains.

	Hotels
	Hydro Majestic Hotel Great Western Hwy Medlow Bath NSW 2780 Telephone: (02) 4788 1002 Facsimile: (02) 4788 1063 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Blue Mountains Guesthouse & Restaurant 50 Portland Ave Medlow Bath NSW 2780 Telephone: (02) 4788 1122 Facsimile: (02) 4788 2111 Rating: ***
	Raiyawa 133 Grand Gannon Rd Medlow Bath NSW 2780 Telephone: (02) 4788 1171
	Cottages & Cabins
	Medlow Cottage 44 Portland Rd Medlow Bath NSW 2780 Telephone: (02) 9546 4719 Rating: ***1/2
	Restaurants
	Blue Mountains Guesthouse & Restaurant Portland Ave Medlow Bath NSW 2780 Telephone: (02) 4788 1122 Facsimile: (02) 4788 2111
	Hydro Majestic Hotel Restaurant Great Western Hwy Medlow Bath NSW 2780 Telephone: (02) 4788 1002